Garment with discrete integrally-formed, electrically-conductive region and associated blank and method

ABSTRACT

A circularly knit garment is provided, the garment comprising a circularly knit fabric body having an inner surface adapted to be disposed adjacent to a wearer&#39;s skin when the garment is worn. The garment further includes at least one discrete electrically-conductive region formed at the inner surface of the body during the circular knitting thereof in such as manner as to contact the wearer&#39;s skin when the garment is worn. The at least one electrically-conductive region is comprised of electrically-conductive threads, wherein the electrically-conductive threads are knit into the body such that the electrically-conductive threads at the inner surface are confined to the at least one electrically-conductive region. The at least one electrically-conductive region is further adapted to cooperate with the wearer&#39;s skin to conduct an electrical signal therebetween. An associated blank and a method of making such a garment are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to garments and, more particularly,to a substantially seamless garment having at least one discrete andintegrally-formed region of electrically-conductive threads forconducting an electrical signal to and from the wearer's skin.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] The human body emits signals which may be detected by appropriateelectronic devices. For example, a person's heartbeat may be monitoredby an electrocardiograph or, in a simpler situation, a person's heartrate may be monitored by a heart rate monitoring device. However, ineither instance, one or more electrodes or other conductive patches mustbe applied in contact with the person's skin and then connected byappropriate conductive leads to the monitoring device. This can often bea cumbersome, uncomfortable, or otherwise awkward process, particularlyif the person is to remain clothed while the signals emitted by the bodyare monitored. For instance, the electrodes may be applied to thedesired parts of the person's body and then connected by wires, thewires running under and/or out of openings in the person's clothing, tothe monitoring device. In another example, a heart rate monitor may beapplied and secured to a person's chest, externally to a garment worn bythe person, and secured thereabout by a strap. Such shortcomings may becompounded if the person is to remain active and moving about whiletheir body signals are monitored.

[0005] In some situations such as, for example, health and fitness orother recreational activities, focus may be placed on monitoring signalsemitted by the body in order to attain and maintain a desired condition.For instance, a person may monitor heart rate during aerobic activityusing a portable heart rate monitoring device. However, whenparticipating in such activities, the person may require that such amonitoring device be well-secured and as unobtrusive as possible, withthe electrodes being maintained in contact the skin with minimal, if anyeffort from the person. Further, emphasis may be placed onactivity-specific clothing being comfortable with minimal bulk. In someinstances, such as sports brassieres or tank tops, it may also bedesirable for the garment to be substantially seamless.

[0006] Accordingly, in furtherance of such desirable features,electrically-conductive threads have been incorporated into the fabricof garments for providing electrical pathways between sensors andmonitoring devices. Such garments are disclosed in, for example, U.S.Pat. No. 6,315,009 to Jayaraman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,771 to Postet al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,551 to Jayaraman et al., U.S. Pat. Nos.6,080,690 to Lebby et al., and 5,906,004 to Lebby et al. However, ineach of these patents, the fabric is woven and theelectrically-conductive threads for providing the electrical pathwaysare present throughout the weave. More particularly, the fabric is wovenfrom both conductive and non-conductive fibers, with the conductivefibers running along one weave direction and the non-conductive fibersrunning along the other weave direction perpendicularly to theconductive fibers. However, the fabric must then be formed into thegarment, wherein such a garment undesirably includes one or more seamswhere fabric ends are sewn together. In addition, the presence of theconductive threads throughout the weave may render such a garment proneto receiving excessive noise or other unnecessary or undesirable signalsdue to the extensive area covered by the conductive threads. Further,since the conductive threads extend about both the inner and outersurface of such garments, the electrical signal conducted by the threadsmay also be prone to interference or unwanted signals from contact ofthe outer surface of the garment with external conductive objects.

[0007] Thus, there exists a need for a fabric having localized areas ofconductive threads for allowing the formation of a garment providingselective contact of the conductive thread areas with particular regionsof the wearer's skin. Such a fabric should desirably be formed so as topermit a substantially seamless garment to be made therefrom in order topromote wearer comfort while reducing the need for sewing or otherfastening procedures, as well as the bulk associated with a connectionof fabric ends, typically present or necessary at a seam. Where alocalized area of conductive threads is provided, the conductive threadsshould be confined or otherwise restricted to that area so as to reduceinterference or other unwanted electrical signals received by theconductive threads. The localized area should also be restricted to theinner surface of the garment so as to reduce the risk of interference orother unwanted signals from external conductive objects. The localizedarea of conductive threads should also desirably include one or moreconductive leads extending therefrom so as to provide an electrical pathfor transmission of an electrical signal to and from the localized area,wherein such conductive leads should be integrally formed with thelocalized area during the production of the fabric or garment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The above and other needs are met by the present invention which,in one embodiment, provides a circularly knit garment, comprising acircularly knit fabric body having an inner surface adapted to bedisposed adjacent to a wearer's skin when the garment is worn. At leastone discrete electrically-conductive region is formed at the innersurface of the body during the circular knitting thereof in such asmanner as to contact the wearer's skin when the garment is worn. The atleast one electrically-conductive region is comprised ofelectrically-conductive threads, wherein the electrically-conductivethreads are knit into the body such that the electrically-conductivethreads at the inner surface are confined to the at least oneelectrically-conductive region. The at least one electrically-conductiveregion is further adapted to cooperate with the wearer's skin to conductan electrical signal therebetween.

[0009] Another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises acircularly knit blank for making a substantially seamless garment. Theblank comprises a fabric structure including a first series of courseshaving an inner surface and an outer surface. The first series ofcourses begins at a first end of the fabric structure and extends towardan opposite second end. A first end of a second series of courses isknitted to the second end of the first series of courses and extends toan opposite second end. The second series of courses has an innersurface adapted to be disposed adjacent to a wearer's skin when thegarment is worn and an opposing outer surface. One of the inner andouter surfaces of the first series of courses is configured to overliethe outer surface of the second series of courses to create a two-plyfabric structure. At least one discrete electrically-conductive regionis formed at the inner surface of the second series of courses duringthe circular knitting thereof in such as manner as to contact thewearer's skin when the garment is worn. The at least oneelectrically-conductive region is comprised of electrically-conductivethreads, wherein the electrically-conductive threads are knit into thesecond series of courses such that the electrically-conductive threadsat the inner surface of the second series of courses are confined to theat least one electrically-conductive region. The at least oneelectrically-conductive region is further adapted to cooperate with thewearer's skin to conduct an electrical signal therebetween.

[0010] Still another advantageous aspect of the present inventioncomprises a method of making a substantially seamless garment. A tubularblank is knitted by circularly knitting a first series of courses toform first tubular structure having an inner surface, an outer surfaceand opposing ends. A second series of courses is circularly knitted toone of the ends of the first series of courses to form a second tubularstructure. The second tubular structure has an inner surface and anouter surface, wherein the inner surface includes at least one discreteelectrically-conductive region formed therewith during the circularknitting thereof. The at least one electrically-conductive region isadapted to contact a wearer's skin when the garment is worn andcooperates with the wearer's skin to conduct an electrical signaltherebetween. The at least one electrically-conductive region iscomprised of electrically-conductive threads knit into the second seriesof courses such that the electrically-conductive threads at the innersurface of the second series of courses are confined to the at least oneelectrically-conductive region. The at least one electrically-conductiveregion further includes at least one conductive element extendingtherefrom. One of the inner and outer surfaces of the first tubularstructure is configured to overlie the outer surface of the secondtubular structure so as to form a two-ply blank. The two-ply blank isthen cut to define peripheral edges of the garment and the peripheraledges of the two-ply blank are selectively sewn together.

[0011] Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a fabrichaving localized areas of conductive threads for allowing the formationof a garment providing selective contact of the conductive thread areaswith particular regions of the wearer's skin. Embodiments of the presentinvention also provide a fabric formed by a circular knitting process soas to provide a blank from which a substantially seamless garment can bemade. Wearer comfort is thus promoted while reducing the need for sewingor other fastening procedures, as well as the bulk associated with aconnection of fabric ends at a seam. The circular knitting processfurther allows the conductive threads to be confined or otherwiserestricted to a localized area, and at the inner surface of the garment,so as to reduce interference or other unwanted electrical signalsreceived by the conductive threads. In addition, the circular knittingprocess for forming the fabric allows one or more conductive leads to beformed in the fabric so as to extend from the localized area and toprovide a selective electrical path for transmission of an electricalsignal to and from the localized area, wherein such conductive leads canbe integrally formed with the localized area during the production ofthe fabric or garment. Therefore, embodiments of the present inventionprovide distinct advantages as detailed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0012] Having thus described the invention in general terms, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a garment according toone embodiment of the present invention being worn by a person.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a single ply garment blankformed by a circular knitting process according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0015]FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of alternativeembodiments of a single ply garment blank taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1illustrating an electrically-conductive region knit into the fabricaccording to the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a two ply garment blankformed by a circular knitting process according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a two ply garment having anelectrically-conductive region at the inner surface of the inner plythat includes a conductive element electrically connecting theelectrically-conductive region to a pocket defined between the inner andouter plies according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a two ply garment taken alongline 6-6 of FIG. 5 illustrating an electrically-conductive region knitinto the fabric at the inner surface of the inner ply and electricallyconnected to a pocket defined between the inner and outer pliesaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective cut-away view of an as-formed two plyblank according to an alternate embodiment of the present inventionillustrating cut lines for a garment comprising a brassiere.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the brassiere of FIG. 7illustrating the configuration of the garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichpreferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0022]FIG. 1 illustrates an article of clothing (otherwise referred toherein as a “garment”) incorporating aspects of embodiments of thepresent invention, the garment being generally indicated by the numeral10. Such a garment 10 may comprise, for example, a sports bra, at-shirt, a tank top, shorts, or the like, wherein a tank top isparticularly illustrated in FIG. 1. The garment 10 may be formed, forexample, as a single ply or double ply structure. According to oneparticularly advantageous aspect of the present invention, the garment10 is formed using a circular knitting process, wherein a circularknitting process and a garment fabricated thereby are discussed, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,168 to Rabinowicz, which is incorporatedherein in its entirety by reference.

[0023] A circular knitting process generally forms a tubular wovenfabric structure (otherwise referred to herein as a “blank”) that isthen cut and sewn into the desired garment 10 configuration. That is,the tubular fabric structure may be used as a seamless encirclingportion such as, for example, the body-encircling portion 20 of the tanktop 10. However, one skilled in the art will also appreciate that acircularly knit tubular fabric structure may be adapted to any situationthat may benefit from a seamless encircling cover. Such a seamless coverpromotes, for example, more comfortable, simpler, and reduced costgarments by reducing the amount of seams. After the tank top 10 is cutfrom the blank along appropriate cut lines, respective edges along thelength of the blank may be sewn or otherwise secured together to form,for example, respective shoulder strap portions 30, 40. Accordingly, agarment 10 formed according to such a circular knitting process issubstantially seamless. One skilled in the art will appreciate that thegarment 10 may be knit, for example, from various types and deniers offace yarns, wherein the selection of the face yarns and the knit dependprimarily on the desired characteristics of the fabric such as the hand,appearance, texture, or the like. Further, once the garment 10 isformed, additional features such as, for example, a pocket 50, may bedefined by sewing or otherwise securing another piece of material to thegarment 10.

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention,wherein a single ply blank 60 is formed according to a circular knittingprocess. As previously discussed, where it is desired to monitor certainsignals emitted by a person's body, one or more electrodes or contactpatches 70 may be required to be in contact with the person's body,sometimes in specific locations. Accordingly, in one particularlyadvantageous embodiment of the present invention, the one or moreelectrically-conductive contact patches 70 are knit into the blank 60during the circular knitting process, wherein the contact patches 70 maybe selectively placed in the blank 60 to correspond to particularlocations on the garment 10, if desired. Each contact patch 70 is knitto include electrically-conductive fibers suitable for use in theparticular garment, such fibers comprising, for example, conductivefibers made by Philips and which are believed to include silver. Asshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, each contact patch 70 is knitted into adiscrete area of the blank 60, wherein the conductive fibers forming thecontact patch 70 are confined to those respective areas. That is,embodiments of the present invention generally do not have theconductive fibers present throughout the entire fabric of the blank 60.However, as will be described further herein, some conductive fibers mayselectively extend outwardly from the contact patch 70 and along theblank 60 in some instances.

[0025] According to particularly advantageous aspects of the presentinvention, a single ply garment 10, such as the tank top, includes aninner surface 80 that contacts the wearer's skin when the garment 10 isworn and an opposing outer surface 90. The contact patch 70 may thus beknitted into the fabric so as to extend from the inner surface 80 to theouter surface 90, as particularly shown in FIG. 3A. However, in someinstances, the contact patch 70 may be knitted at or about the innersurface 80 without extending through the fabric to the outer surface 90.In those instances where the contact patch 70 is knitted at the innersurface 80, one or more conductive elements 100 may be connected to eachcontact patch 70 so as to extend therefrom through the fabric and to theouter surface 90, as particularly shown in FIG. 3B. Such conductiveelements 100 may be formed from electrically-conductive threads that areintegrally knitted with the contact patch 70 during the circularknitting process. However, in some cases, the conductive elements 100may comprise other materials or objects separately connected to thecontact patches 70 following the completion of the fabric and/or garment10. As also shown in FIG. 3B, the conductive elements 100 extend throughthe fabric and into the pocket 50 in some embodiments.

[0026] Another particularly advantageous aspect of the present inventionis directed to the garment 10 being engageable with a suitableelectrical signal processing device 110 via the contact patches 70 and,in some instances, the conductive elements 100. Such a signal processingdevice 110 may be configured to receive a signal from the wearer's bodyand/or to transmit a signal to the wearer's body. In either instance,the signal processing device 110 may also include a display 120 fordisplaying a representation of the signal. For example, the signalprocessing device 110 may comprise a heart rate monitor for receiving asignal from the wearer's body, indicative of the wearer's heart rate,wherein the signal may be processed by the heart rate monitor anddisplayed on an associated LCD screen. In another instance, the signalprocessing device 110 may comprise, for example, an electro-stimulationdevice for transmitting an electrical signal to the wearer's body forelectrically stimulating the area of the wearer's body contacted by theconductive patches 70, wherein the intensity of the signal, the amountof signals transmitted, or the like may be indicated on an associatedscreen or other display 120. One skilled in that art will furtherappreciate, however, that the examples presented herein are forillustrative purposes only and are not intended to be restrictive withrespect to the many devices which may be implemented with the describedgarment within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0027] In order for the signal processing device 110 to receive/send theelectrical signal, embodiments of the garment 10 further include one ormore electrical connectors 130 engaged with the end of each conductiveelement 100 or contact patch 70 extending through the fabric, whereinthe electrical connectors 130 and the signal processing device 110 areconfigured to be mutually engageable, for example, through one or morecontacts 115 on the signal processing device 110. Further, the signalprocessing device 110 may be, for example, directly connected to theelectrical connectors 130 or connected to the electrical connectors 130by additional conductive leads. In some instances, the signal processingdevice 110 may comprise separate portions capable of wirelesscommunication therebetween, wherein a first device portion 110 a may bedirectly engaged with the electrical connectors 130, while a separatesecond device portion 110 b having a display 120 may be disposed apartfrom the garment 10 (See, e.g., FIG. 3B) and configured to communicatewith the first device portion 110 a via wireless communicationtechnology. In other instances, the first device portion 110 a may beconnected to the second device portion 110 b by conductive leads 135(See, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6). Further, in instances, for example, wherethe signal processing device 110 is directly connected to the electricalconnectors 130, it may also be desirable for the signal processingdevice 110 to be secured to the garment 10. As such, embodiments of thepresent invention are configured such that the contact patches 70 areconnected to the respective electrical connectors 130 disposed withinthe pocket 50 defined by the garment 10. The signal processing device110 may then be held or otherwise secured within the pocket 50, with thecontacts 115 in engagement with the electrical connectors 130, so as tomake the device 110 less obtrusive to the wearer.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the garment 10 may also be fabricated as atwo ply structure, also using a circular knitting process. Moreparticularly, FIG. 4 illustrates a two ply blank 60 formed by a circularknitting process. The blank 60 includes a turned welt 140 formed at oneend and a turned welt 150 formed at the other end to prevent the blank60 from unraveling and to facilitate handling of the fabric insubsequent fabrication processes as described below. The circularknitting process begins with the knitting of the turned welt 140. Afirst series of courses 160 is then knit to the turned welt 140 so as toform a first tubular structure defining one ply of the garment 10, thefirst tubular structure including the features of the garment 10. Thefirst series of courses 160 terminates at a fold region 170 that definesthe lowermost edge of the garment 10. Preferably, the fold region 170 isknit to be thinner than the remainder of the fabric and, in someinstances, may be knit as a turned welt. Next, a second series ofcourses 180 is knit to the end of the first series of courses 160 so asto form a second tubular structure as an extension of the first tubularstructure, the second tubular structure defining the second ply of thegarment 10 and including the features thereof, in mirror image to thefirst tubular structure and about the fold region 170. At the end of thesecond series of courses 180, the other turned welt 150 is knit beforethe blank 60 is removed from the circular knitting machine.

[0029] The blank 60 is then folded about the fold region 170 such thatthe second series of courses 180 overlies the first series of courses160, wherein the corresponding features of the garment 10 defined byeach of the first and second series of courses 160, 180 are inregistration. More particularly, the first and second series of courses160, 180 each define a common first surface 190 a inside the tubularstructure and an opposing common second surface 190 b. When folded aboutthe fold region 170, the second surface 190 b of the second series ofcourses 180 is disposed over the second surface 190 b of the firstseries of courses 160. The fold region 170 thus defines the bottom edgeof the garment 10, such as the tank top, wherein the first surface 190 aof the first series of courses 160 is configured to be disposed adjacentto the wearer's skin when the garment 10 is worn. Where a seamlessgarment is desired, the folded blank 60 can then be cut along sew lines200 defining the peripheral edges of the garment 10, wherein, in someinstances, the cutting may be performed in a machine that simultaneouslysews the cut edges of the two plies together along the sew lines 200 tocreate a finished edge of the garment 10. In some instances, the sewingof the two plies together may be selective and may be performed at theturned welts 140, 150 and/or the fold region 170. Still further, inother instances, decorative or elastic banding, for example, may be sewninto or along the cut edges as desired for the garment 10.

[0030] In the alternative, the blank 60 may be formed in the circularknitting process as two plies, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. That is, theblank 60 may be formed as a two ply tube by the circular knittingprocess such that blank 60 is removed from the knitting machine as twoplies and the step of folding the blank 60, previously described, is notnecessary. For example, the knitting process may begin with the knittingof the first series of courses 160 comprising the first ply in a firstdirection, toward one interface 66 of the two ply blank 60. At the oneinterface 66, the knitting process continues toward so as to form anedge 65 which may comprise, for example, a turned welt. When the desiredlength of the turned welt 65 is attained, the knitting direction is thenreversed so as to begin the knitting of the second ply. The second plyof the turned welt 65 extends to a second interface 67, whereafter thesecond interface 67 of the second series of courses 180 is knitted tothe first interface 66. The knitting process then continues such thatthe second series of courses 180 extends away from the edge 65, andadjacently to the first series of courses 160, so as to form the secondply of the blank 60. Upon completion of the knitting process, the commonsecond surface 190 b of both the first and second series of courses 160,180 are adjacent to each other, while the common first surface 190 a ofthe first and second series of courses 160, 180 form the innermost andoutermost surfaces of the blank 60, respectively.

[0031] The first and second plies may also be selectively knittedtogether during the knitting process, where desired, so as to, forinstance, stabilize the two plies and prevent movement with respect toeach other. For example, the first and second plies may be knittedtogether at the interfaces 66, 67 such that the turned welt 65 forms aband defining an end of the garment 10, the garment 10 comprising, forexample, a brassiere, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (However, it will alsobe appreciated that the as-knitted two ply blank 60 may be formedaccording to the described process such that the two plies are notknitted together, if desired.). Such a turned welt 65 may have adifferent knit pattern than the first and second series of courses 160,180 of the blank 60, for example, a rib knit in the turned welt 65 and ajersey knit in the first and second series of courses 160, 180, so as toprovide a finished appearance along the end of the garment 10. The firstand second series of courses 160, 180 may then be cut and selectivelysewn along cut lines 200 as previously described so as to form a two-plygarment.

[0032] As more particularly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the contact patches70 described in relation to a single ply garment can also be applied toeither of the two ply garment formed by either method described above.More particularly, the implementation of the contact patches 70 arepossible with either a two ply garment formed from a folded single plyor an as-knitted two ply garment. According to such embodiments of thepresent invention, the contact patches 70 may be knitted into the fabricat or about the first surface 190 a of the first series of courses 160in the same manner as described for the single ply garment, since thefirst surface 190 a is configured to be disposed adjacent to thewearer's skin when the garment 10 is worn. In addition, a pocket 210 forhousing a signal processing device 110 may be defined and formed betweenthe first and second plies by, for example, cutting a slit 220 throughthe second series of courses 180 defining the outer second ply and thensewing the first and second plies together about the slit 220 and in theform of the pocket 210. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the openingof the pocket 210 may be defined between adjacent sew lines 200 orbetween a sew line 200 of one ply and the series of courses of the otherply. The first and second plies may then be sewn together in the form ofthe pocket 210 and about the opening thereof.

[0033] One advantageous embodiment of a two ply garment 10 formed by acircular knitting and folding process according to the present inventionis realized in the formation of the conductive elements 100 extendingfrom the contact patches 70 into the pocket 210. For the first series ofcourses 160 defining the inner first ply, the contact patches 70 may beknitted to extend from the first surface 190 a to the outer secondsurface 190 b of the first ply. In other instances, a conductive element100 may be knitted to extend from the contact patch 70 at or about thefirst surface 190 a to the second surface 190 b of the first ply.Respective electrical connectors 130 may also be provided to engage thecontact patch 70 or the conductive element 100 on the second surface 190b of the first ply. However, in some instances, it may be desirable orrequired that one or more of the electrical connectors 130 for engagingor otherwise connecting to the contacts 115 of the signal processingdevice 110 be located inside the pocket 210, but on the second surface190 b of the outer second ply. In such instances, the blank 60 may beappropriately configured during the circular knitting process such thatthe conductive elements 100, extending to the respective electricalconnectors 130 in the pocket 210 and on the second surface 190 b of theouter second ply, are knitted into the fabric and along the blank 60,through both series of courses 160, 180 and across the fold region 170,in a continuous run. Thus, once the electrical connectors 130 areoperably engaged with the respective contact patches 70, the signalprocessing device 110 may be operably engaged with the electricalconnectors 130 in the pocket 210 in the variety of manners as previouslydescribed.

[0034] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention willcome to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertainshaving the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoingdescriptions and the associated drawings. For example, the tubularfabric structure formed by the circular knitting process may be slitalong a longitudinal line so as to open the tube into a flatconfiguration, which may then be appropriately fabricated into thedesired garment with one or more seams. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. A circularly knit garment, comprising: acircularly knit fabric body having an inner surface adapted to bedisposed adjacent to a wearer's skin when the garment is worn; and atleast one discrete electrically-conductive region formed at the innersurface of the body during the circular knitting thereof in such asmanner as to contact the wearer's skin when the garment is worn, the atleast one electrically-conductive region being comprised ofelectrically-conductive threads knit into the body such that theelectrically-conductive threads at the inner surface are confined to theat least one electrically-conductive region, the at least oneelectrically-conductive region being further adapted to cooperate withthe wearer's skin to conduct an electrical signal therebetween.
 2. Agarment according to claim 1 wherein the body is substantially seamless.3. A garment according to claim 1 further comprising an electricalsignal processing device in communication with the at least oneelectrically-conductive region and configured to receive the electricalsignal from the wearer's skin.
 4. A garment according to claim 1 furthercomprising a display in communication with the at least oneelectrically-conductive region and configured to display arepresentation of the electrical signal.
 5. A garment according to claim1 wherein the body further comprises an outer surface and includes atleast one conductive element in electrical contact with the at least oneelectrically-conductive region, the at least one conductive elementextending between the electrically-conductive region and the outersurface.
 6. A garment according to claim 5 further comprising a pocketdefined by the body, wherein the at least one conductive element extendsfrom the electrically-conductive region into the pocket.
 7. A garmentaccording to claim 6 further comprising an electrical signal processingdevice configured to be housed by the pocket and to be communicable withthe at least one conductive element so as to receive the electricalsignal from the at least one electrically-conductive region.
 8. Agarment according to claim 5 wherein the at least one conductive elementis integrally formed with the at least one electrically-conductiveregion during the circular knitting of the body.
 9. A garment accordingto claim 1 wherein the body comprises an inner ply, having an innersurface disposed adjacent to the wearer's skin when the garment is wornand an outer surface, and an outer ply, having an inner surface opposingthe outer surface of the inner ply and an outer surface.
 10. A garmentaccording to claim 9 wherein the at least one electrically-conductiveregion is formed at the inner surface of the inner ply so as to becapable of contacting the wearer's skin.
 11. A garment according toclaim 9 further comprising at least one conductive element in electricalcontact with the at least one electrically-conductive region andextending between the at least one electrically-conductive region and atleast one of the outer surface of the inner ply and the inner surface ofthe outer ply.
 12. A garment according to claim 11 further comprising atleast one electrical connector operably engaged with each conductiveelement in opposing relation to the at least one electrically-conductiveregion.
 13. A garment according to claim 9 wherein the at least oneconductive element is integrally formed with the at least oneelectrically-conductive region during the circular knitting of the body,and the at least one conductive element extends in a continuous pathbetween the at least one electrically-conductive region and at least oneof the outer surface of the inner ply and the inner surface of the outerply.
 14. A garment according to claim 9 wherein the body is formed of acircularly knit fabric blank folded upon itself along a fold linedefining an edge of the body, the inner ply opposing the outer ply aboutthe fold line.
 15. A garment according to claim 9 wherein the inner plyand the outer ply are secured together at a turned welt so as to definean edge of the body.
 16. A garment according to claim 9 furthercomprising a pocket formed between the inner and outer plies and havingat least one electrical connector therein in communication with the atleast one electrically-conductive region via at least one conductiveelement operably engaged therebetween, the pocket being configured toaccept an electrical signal processing device therein, the electricalsignal processing device being configured to operably engage the atleast one electrical connector for receiving the electrical signal fromthe wearer's skin.
 17. A circularly knit blank for making asubstantially seamless garment, said blank comprising a fabric structurehaving: a first series of courses having an inner surface and an outersurface, the first series of courses beginning at a first end andextending to an opposite second end; a second series of courses having afirst end knitted to the second end of the first series of courses andextending to an opposite second end, the second series of courses havingan inner surface adapted to be disposed adjacent to a wearer's skin whenthe garment is worn and an opposing outer surface, one of the inner andouter surfaces of the first series of courses being configured tooverlie the outer surface of the second series of courses to create atwo-ply fabric structure; and at least one discreteelectrically-conductive region formed at the inner surface of the secondseries of courses during the circular knitting thereof in such as manneras to contact the wearer's skin when the garment is worn, the at leastone electrically-conductive region being comprised ofelectrically-conductive threads knit into the second series of coursessuch that the electrically-conductive threads at the inner surface ofthe second series of courses are confined to the at least oneelectrically-conductive region, the at least one electrically-conductiveregion being further adapted to cooperate with the wearer's skin toconduct an electrical signal therebetween.
 18. A blank according toclaim 17 wherein the fabric structure comprises a circularly knit singleply fabric tube having opposed ends.
 19. A blank according to claim 18wherein the fabric tube further comprises a turned welt knit at each endof the tube.
 20. A blank according to claim 18 wherein the fabric tubefurther comprises a fold region disposed intermediate to the firstseries of courses and the second series of courses, the blank beingfoldable about the fold region to create the two ply fabric structure.21. A blank according to claim 20 wherein the fold region comprises aturned welt.
 22. A blank according to claim 17 further comprising anelectrical signal processing device in communication with the at leastone electrically-conductive region and configured to receive theelectrical signal from the wearer's skin.
 23. A blank according to claim17 further comprising a display in communication with the at least oneelectrically-conductive region and configured to display arepresentation of the electrical signal.
 24. A blank according to claim17 further comprising at least one conductive element in electricalcontact with the at least one electrically-conductive region, the atleast one conductive element extending between the at least oneelectrically-conductive region and at least one of the outer surface ofthe second series of courses and the inner surface of the first seriesof courses.
 25. A blank according to claim 24 wherein the first seriesof courses and the second series of courses are configured so as todefine a pocket therebetween, the at least one conductive elementfurther being configured to extend from the at least oneelectrically-conductive region into the pocket.
 26. A blank according toclaim 25 further comprising at least one electrical connector operablyengaged with each conductive element in opposing relation to the atleast one electrically-conductive region.
 27. A blank according to claim26 further comprising an electrical signal processing device configuredto be housed by the pocket and to be operably engageable with the atleast one electrical connector so as to receive the electrical signalfrom the at least one electrically-conductive region.
 28. A blankaccording to claim 24 wherein the at least one conductive element isintegrally formed with the at least one electrically-conductive regionduring the circular knitting of the second series of courses.
 29. Amethod of making a substantially seamless garment, comprising: knittinga tubular blank by: circularly knitting a first series of courses toform first tubular structure having an inner surface, an outer surfaceand opposing ends; and circularly knitting a second series of courses toone of the ends of the first series of courses to form a second tubularstructure, the second tubular structure having an inner surface and anouter surface, the inner surface including at least one discreteelectrically-conductive region formed therewith during the circularknitting thereof and adapted to contact a wearer's skin when the garmentis worn, the at least one electrically-conductive region being furtheradapted to cooperate with the wearer's skin to conduct an electricalsignal therebetween, the at least one electrically-conductive regionbeing comprised of electrically-conductive threads knit into the secondseries of courses such that the electrically-conductive threads at theinner surface of the second series of courses are confined to the atleast one electrically-conductive region, and the at least oneelectrically-conductive region further including at least one conductiveelement extending therefrom, one of the inner and outer surfaces of thefirst tubular structure being configured to overlie the outer surface ofthe second tubular structure so as to form a two-ply blank; cutting thetwo-ply blank to define peripheral edges of the garment; and selectivelystitching the peripheral edges of the two-ply blank together.
 30. Amethod according to claim 29 wherein circularly knitting a second seriesof courses further comprises selectively circularly knittingelectrically conductive threads into the second series of courses so asto integrally form the at least one electrically-conductive region andthe at least one conductive element.
 31. A method according to claim 29further comprising establishing communication between the at least oneelectrically-conductive region and an electrical signal processingdevice configured to receive the electrical signal from the wearer'sskin.
 32. A method according to claim 29 further comprising establishingcommunication between the at least one electrically-conductive regionand a display configured to display a representation of the electricalsignal.
 33. A method according to claim 29 further comprising forming apocket between the first series of courses and the second series ofcourses, the at least one conductive element extending from the at leastone electrically-conductive region into the pocket.
 34. A methodaccording to claim 33 further comprising operably engaging at least oneelectrical connector with each conductive element in opposing relationto the at least one electrically-conductive region, the at least oneelectrical connector being disposed within the pocket.
 35. A methodaccording to claim 34 further comprising disposing an electrical signalprocessing device in the pocket in operable engagement with the at leastone electrical connector, the electrical signal processing device beingcommunicable with the at least one electrically-conductive region toreceive the electrical signal.
 36. A method according to claim 29wherein stitching the peripheral edges of the two-ply blank furthercomprises stitching the second series of courses to the one end of thefirst series of courses at a turned welt so as to define an edge of thegarment.